Antarctica!

Day 1

This is the boat I took to Antarctica. Sea Spirit. There were about 112 passengers.  We left January 15 for a "12 day" cruise. Since we started at like 4 pm on the first day and ended at about 8 am on the last day, it's really only a 10 day cruise if you ask me.

Another thing you might ask is:  "What was Antarctica like"?  The standard answer from most people is:  "You really can't explain it. You have to experience it". I will sum it up in three words:  Ice, Rocks, Penguins. If you really must know more, I'll give you some details from my trip.

Day one was short. It consisted of safety drills, dinner and slightly excessive alcohol consumption.

Day 2

Day two was open ocean cruising across the Drake Passage. The Drake is the stretch of water between Ushuaia and what will be our first sight of land, The South Shetland Islands. It is known as one of, if not the most dangerous and unforgiving ocean crossings in the world. Our experience with the weather here was described by the crew as the absolute best we could have hoped for. And still, half the boat was seasick. The worst part for me was trying to shave. It reminded me much of that scene in Airplane II: The Sequel.

Day 3

On day three we saw our first icebergs, land, penguins.

We first saw the South Shetland Islands around 11:30 and made landfall at Half Moon Island via zodiacs around 3 pm. It was pretty amazing. Seeing hundreds of chinstrap penguins and one big elephant seal and one Weddell seal. Just being there. There was something overwhelming about it all. The smell. Penguins are some of the stinkiest animals I've ever met. They just eat and make babies and poop. I could smell them before I even got on the zodiac. They are super-cute, though. They know this, of course, and so, like Hollywood types, love to pose for pictures. (pics will be up after I decide if they should go through Picasa or something else).

Day 4

We went to Hannah Point in the morning. More penguins. Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins. And big groups of elephant seals lying around burping, farting and scratching. It's kind of like a college apartment.

In the afternoon we went to Whaler's Bay at Deception Island. This was one of the coolest places we went. You sail into the crater of an active volcano and can see the steam coming off the water near the shoreline. there is an old whaling station here and a place where you can hike up to see a good view overlooking the whole place.

Day 5

More penguins! Baby penguins. Some looked really cute and were just hatched. Some looked really gross because they were torn apart and eaten by brown skuas. (not pictured)

In the afternoon, we were supposed to make our first continental landing at Almirante Brown Station. The Argentine coast guard told us no because they were working there. Apparently this was the one day in the last four years that they were actually doing something. Then we were followed by this boat for the rest of the trip.

It's Super Bowl Sunday and I don't feel like writing any more today. So come back tomorrow for the exciting conclusion to Antarctica! Will there be more penguins? Will there be a maritime showdown with the Argentine coast guard? Will I freeze to death while camping on the White Continent? Read the next post to find out.